October 23, 2007

Crown Prince Sultan bin
Abdulaziz has stressed the Kingdom’s determination to combat terrorism
in all its forms and that counterterrorism efforts should focus not
just on security, but on combating the terrorist mindset as well.

The Crown Prince made the remarks in a wide-ranging interview published today in the Arabic-language Kuwaiti daily Al-Rai.

“The
Kingdom is determined to continue its policy of fighting all forms of
terrorism,” Crown Prince Sultan said. “Saudi Arabia’s view is that
dealing with the phenomenon of terrorism should not be confined to the
mere security aspect of it but it should also be at the intellectual
level, not only in our region but also at the level of the whole world
with all its various faiths.”

Asked if the interrogation of
terrorism suspects in the Kingdom had found links to groups outside the
country, Crown Prince Sultan replied that the Ministry of Interior
would announce any findings once the process has been completed.

Turning
to the crisis in Iraq, the Crown Prince characterized the situation
there as a significant humanitarian tragedy. Saudi Arabia’s policy
towards Iraq has always been rooted in the desire to preserve Iraqi
lives and maintain the country’s territorial integrity, he said. The
Kingdom has repeatedly urged Iraqis to achieve national unity, renounce
foreign interference and guarantee equal rights for all regardless of
political or ethnic affiliation. The Crown Prince added that Saudi
Arabia would continue to exert diplomatic efforts with Arab nations and
international organizations in order to help Iraq regain its rightful
place in the international community.

Asked to comment on
accusations that Saudis are traveling to Iraq to fight, Crown Prince
Sultan replied that Saudi Arabia does not permit Saudis to go to Iraq,
and that if some citizens are crossing the border they are doing so at
locations other than the Saudi-Iraqi border. He remarked that work is
scheduled to begin soon on a fence that will run along the border with
Iraq to prevent infiltration.

Regarding the situation in
Palestine, Crown Prince Sultan said that the Kingdom is concerned by
the divisions within the Palestinian ranks which negatively affect
their cause.

On the Kingdom’s recent judicial reforms, Crown
Prince Sultan said that the new laws embody the Custodian of the Two
Holy Mosques King Abdulaziz’s commitment to development in Saudi
Arabia. The Saudi judicial system has long been based on the Shari’ah,
and the new laws reflect this adherence to Islamic principles.

Commenting
on development in the Kingdom, Crown Prince Sultan highlighted King
Abdullah’s focus on education, training and job creation for young
Saudis so that they are able to meet the needs of the job market. He
noted that the development process remains ongoing.